Sudan arrest warrant 'dangerous precedent': Russia

The issuing of an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Beshir sets a "dangerous precedent," Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's envoy for Sudan said on Wednesday, quoted by RIA-Novosti.

"The untimely decision of the International Criminal Court creates a dangerous precedent in the system of international relations and could have a negative effect both on the situation inside Sudan and on the general regional situation," said Mikhail Margelov.

The International Criminal Court announced it was seeking the arrest of Beshir for war crimes in Darfur, issuing the first ever warrant against a sitting head of state.

The 65-year-old Beshir will face five counts of crimes against humanity and two of war crimes. However Beshir will not face charges of genocide as requested by the ICC's chief prosecutor.